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Nicole
Shahinian-Simpson Triumphs At Indio Show Jumping Finale |
Indio,
CA (March 9, 2003)—Nicole Shahinian-Simpson of Westlake Village,
California, rode El Campeon Farms' "Cirka Z" to the blue
ribbon in the $150,000 Ford Grand Prix of the Desert. Shahinian-Simpson
bested a starting field of 39 horse and rider pairs in the Conrad
Homfeld designed show jumping course that had 14 challenging efforts
in the first round. Only seven of the first round riders managed
to go clean and return for the jump-off and of them, only two were
"double-clear." In second place was Guillermo Obligato
of Carlsbad, California aboard Charlotte Mashburn's "Lou Lou."
The pair had no knockdowns, but were more than a second slower through
the timers. Finishing in third place was "Pasadena," piloted
by Misty Cassar for Chris Albrecht's Sopranos Farm of Malibu, CA.
Today's
Ford Grand Prix of the Desert was also the final qualifying event
for the selection of the West Coast squad that will represent the
United States Equestrian Team at the Budweiser World Cup of Show
Jumping to be held April 16 - 20 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The riders
named to the west coast squad are Nicole Shahinian-Simpson, her
husband Will Simpson, Richard Spooner (Burbank, CA) and John French
(Menlo Park, CA). Spooner, who was the winningest rider on this
year's six-week series in Indio, also took home the prestigious
Golden Horse "Super Bowl" ring as the leading Grand Prix
Rider on the circuit.
The
Ford Grand Prix competition coincided with Fiesta Day at the HITS
Indio Desert Horse Park. Several thousand spectators were enthralled
to watch Hollywood stunt rider, champion roper and horse trainer
Ramon Becerra perform aboard his Andalusian and Fresian horses.
Ramon, who trains and rides with Hollywood actress Bo Derek, was
joined on field by international dressage riding star Brigitte Huber.
Other Fiesta Day festivities included performances by the Abel Garcia
Youth Mariachi Band. Authentic Mexican food was served by Teddy's
Restaurant of La Quinta and Toni's Mexican Seafood Restaurant of
Indio.
Other
major award winners at the Indio Desert Circuit VI included:
Bayer
Legend Leading Hunter Rider - John Bragg, Petaluma, CA
Bayer Legend Leading Jumper Rider - Guy Thomas, Burson, CA
HBO Junior Medal Winner - Pauline Poe, Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Charles Owen Children's Medal Winner - Chelsea Wilkinson, Rancho
Santa Fe, CA
Charles Owen Adult Medal Winner - Tarni Bell, Rickridge, CA
Patricia O'Connell Grand Hunter Champion - Corallie, Carleton Brooks
& Margaret O'Meara, Bellevue, WA
Michael Patrick Perpetual Trophy for High Point Grand Amateur-Owner
Hunter Circuit Champion, trophy donated by Cathy Hayes - Double
Take, Eva Gonda, Beverly Hills, CA
Potcreek Meadow Farm Junior Sportsman Award - Kasey Ament, Reche
Canyon, CA
Jimmy Kohn Style of Riding Perpetual Trophy, sponsored by Karen
Healey Stables - Marley Goodman, Wellington, FL
Lifetime Achievement Award - Dr. William R. Nissen, Valley Center,
CA
Televised
Coverage - $75,000 Bayer/USET Grand Prix
Continuing its commitment to equestrian sports television coverage
this winter, Outdoor Life Network (OLN) will air the $75,000 Bayer/USET
Grand Prix held at the HITS Indio Desert Circuit. Show jumping fans
can tune into the OLN national cable telecast to be aired on:
Sunday,
April 20, 2003 - 3:00-4:00pm ET
and
Friday, April 25, 2003 - 12:00-1:00pm ET
$150,000 Ford Grand Prix of the Desert - Sunday, March 9, 2003
Indio Desert Circuit VI - Indio, CA
Conrad Homfeld, Southampton, NY: Course Designer
Place Horse Rider Owner Prize Money Rd 1 Faults Rd 2 Faults JO Time
1st El Campeons Cirka Z Nicole Shahinian-Simpson El Campeon Farms
$45,000 0 0 44.47
2nd Lou Lou Guillermo Obligado Charlotte L Mashburn $33,000 0 0
45.88
3rd Pasadena Misti Cassar Soprands Farm $19,500 0 4 46.73
4th Robinson Richard A Spooner Half Moon Bay Investment Group $12,000
0 8 42.36
5th El Campeons Ado Annie Will Simpson El Campeon Farms $9,000 0
8 43.49
6th Grand Soso 2 Laura Linback Woodrun $7,500 0 8 44.00
7th Apprapos Marley Goodman Marley Goodman / Turtle Lane Farm $6,000
0 12 46.50
8th Adonis All Star Peter Breakwell Adonis Capital $2,700 4
8th Lexicon Helen McNaught Beverly Hills Equestrian Partners $2,700
4
12th Bradford Richard A Spooner Tracey Kenly / Kenly Farms $1,028.57
8
12th El Campeons Petri Nicole Shahinian-Simpson El Campeon Farms
$1,028.57 8
12th Lady D Jeff Campf Oz Investments / Sequoia Farm $1,028.57 8
12th El Campeons So Long Eva Gonda El Campeon Farms $1,028.57 8
12th Quietude Cathleen Calvert Cathleen Calvert $1,028.57 8
12th Horalas Hap Hansen Diane Rushing $1,028.57 8
12th Edesa's Divine Eddy Sepul Edesa Horse Promotion Inc. $1,028.57
8
Website:
www.HitsShows.com
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